Half-Life 2 showed the difference between playing as a character and being a character better than any game ever had before, and arguably ever has to date. It was linear, but never felt constrictive. It told a story without telling it to you. It led you by the hand, but you always felt in control. Not a single great FPS in the last 5 years would have reached its potential without Half-Life 2 showing them how to do it right.

2. World of Warcraft
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Platform: PC

Like it or not, World of Warcraft brought the MMO genre to the masses with its easy-to-play-but-tough-to-master game mechanics, astounding art direction (even by today’s standards) and unparalleled support. Ever since its release, other games have claimed to be the “WoW killer”, and yet still it stands, strong as it was in 2004.

3. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: BioWare
Platform: PC , Xbox
Year: 2003

Before Knights of the Old Republic, BioWare’s take on RPGs was as a crafted PC experience, made entirely with a keyboard and mouse in mind. With Knights of the Old Republic, the studio took the action down to the ground, and crafted the best Star Wars story since the original trilogy, to bring in a whole new legion of fans. The genre hasn’t been the same since.

4. Grand Theft Auto III
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: DMA Design
Platform: PS2
Year: 2001

As genre-defining moments go, few could argue against the indelible mark that Grand Theft Auto III left on PlayStation 2 owners in 2001. Rockstar North, through the combination of tight script, intense action, freedom and violence, gave players a revolutionary new way to experience mature-targeted action games. A true classic.

5. Super Mario Galaxy
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Platform: Wii
Year: 2007

Did Super Mario Galaxy top Nintendo’s revolutionary Super Mario 64? That’s open to debate – but what is certain is that Mario Galaxy is the Wii’s finest gaming experience. Drawing on more than twenty years of platforming expertise, Super Mario Galaxy masterfully blends an absurdist level design with compulsive and extremely polished gameplay. Stunning.

6. Counter-Strike
Publisher: Sierra Studios
Developer: Valve
Platform: PC
Year: 2000

It’s still one of the best online shooters around. Though other games have passed it by in terms of graphics and the range of options, few have even come close to capturing the near-perfect pacing and balance of this online FPS. Ten years later, people are still playing this one.

7. Fallout 3
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Platform: PC , PS3 , Xbox 360
Year: 2008

It’s tough for a studio to take over a beloved franchise from another group of developers. Bethesda’s Fallout 3 is a roadmap to success. Blending elements of old with its patented open-world design, the group that cut its teeth on The Elder Scrolls franchise brought back a classic while taking it to new heights.

8. Okami
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Clover Studio
Platform: PS2
Year: 2006

Okami was released the year after high definition gaming was introduced on Xbox 360 and it still managed to steal the hearts of gamers with its beautiful artwork. Its original and whimsical approach to the adventure genre was refreshing not only for the way gamers would paint their attacks, but also the way actions brought the world back to life.

9. Battlefield 1942
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Digital Illusions CE (DICE)
Platform: PC
Year: 2002

Judged purely by the amount of time we spent playing, there are few multiplayer games that were as popular among the IGN staff as DICE’s intense online shooter. Combining land, sea and air combat with lots of vehicles and different infantry kits, Battlefield 1942 brought World War 2 to life in a way that no other game ever has.

10. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Naughty Dog Software
Platform: PS3
Year: 2009

It seemed unlikely that Naughty Dog could develop an even better game than the original Uncharted, but the studio did so with flying colors. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was a virtually ideal sequel: it continued all the great traditions that Uncharted began and also implemented a full suite of multiplayer options. To call it a “must-buy” is an understatement.

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It seemed unlikely that Naughty Dog could develop an even better game than the original Uncharted, but the studio did so with flying colors. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was a virtually ideal sequel: it continued all the great traditions that Uncharted began and also implemented a full suite of multiplayer options. To call it a “must-buy” is an understatement.

2. Assassin’s Creed II
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Platform: Xbox 360 , PS3 , PC

While the first Assassin’s Creed was met with mixed reviews, critics and gamers alike are unanimous when it comes to the sequel: Assassin’s Creed 2 is an immensely entertaining open world adventure. Ubisoft paid careful attention to detail when creating this renaissance Italy killground, resulting in one of the biggest and most enthralling games of the year.

3. Batman: Arkham Asylum
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Platform: Xbox 360 , PS3 , PC

Take Batman, toss in some awesome fight mechanics, a sprinkle of stealth, a mature tale, and all the voices you loved from the animated series – you get Batman: Arkham Asylum. You didn’t get to drive the Batmobile, but you did get to take it to the Joker, Poison Ivy, and run around Arkham before delving into the game’s hard-hitting challenge rooms.

4. Borderlands
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Gearbox Software
Platform: Xbox 360 , PS3 , PC

Gearbox took its expertise with first-person shooters and blended it with Diablo-style loot mechanics to deliver a product comparable to few others. Though it certainly has flaws, the huge diversity of weapons to find, enemies to kill, and methods of upgrading each of the four character classes keep the experience interesting the whole way through… and then through again if you choose to max out character levels. Borderlands is easy to get into and tough to stop playing, especially if you’ve got some friends around to invite into your game.

5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platform: Xbox 360 , PS3 , PC

The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series had all the right pieces to set the bar once again for the FPS genre. Mixing a short (but sweet) single player campaign with one of the strongest multiplayer offerings out there Infinity Ward once again proved why the COD name has not only stood up against worthy competitors, but also the test of time.

6. Street Fighter IV
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Platform: Xbox 360 , PS3 , PC

Lifting elements from its classic fighting formula and mixing in just enough new mechanics to make a game that felt complete and new, Capcom managed to revitalize its biggest fighting franchise while still appealing to those who’d been away since the days of Street Fighter II arcade machines. With a great cast of characters, diverse move sets, and gorgeous graphics, it’s one of the very best fighting games of the modern era.

7. Shadow Complex
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Chair Entertainment
Platform: XBLA

With Shadow Complex, Chair Entertainment finally pushed the Xbox Live Arcade in the direction we all hoped it would go. A new, beautiful, hardcore game at a relatively low price? And it’s downloadable? Sign us up twice. If this is one of gaming’s future paths, we welcome it.

8. Killzone 2
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Platform: PS3

Killzone 2 surpassed the hype of its visuals with an action packed cinematic invasion tale on the devastated planet of Helghan. From start to finish, the shooter pitted players against an extremely intelligent enemy that tactically fought to the death to repel you from their homeworld.

9. FIFA Soccer 10
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Platform: Xbox 360 , PS3 , Wii , PC

This beautiful game has never been more beautiful, and it’s certainly never been as convincingly portrayed as it has in EA Sports’ FIFA 10. This is football told with glorious fidelity and served with unparalleled control, and not only does it eclipse its traditional rival Pro Evolution Soccer – it also makes a case for being one of the all-time great sports games.

10. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Platform: Wii

Playing a Super Mario game is a comforting experience indeed. Nintendo knew exactly what it was doing when it created the Wii side-scrolling platformer: revisit the past 8 and 16-bit designs without overwhelming the emerging casual gamer, all the while retaining all the clever and creative elements that made the property so successful with the hardcore. Oh, and include multiplayer support so that observers and be participants. Well played, Nintendo. Well played.

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War never changes. Sometimes developers do, which is exactly what happened when Bethesda took over and resurrected the classic Fallout franchise. The result? Only one of the best open-world RPGs in recent memory. It’s a game that asks you just how you’ll survive the apocalypse, and what lengths you’ll go to do so.

2. Left 4 Dead
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Valve
Platform: PC , Xbox 360

Valve learned from TF2 and Portal that characterization and clever writing can make a good game great, and from Michael Jackson’s Thriller that zombies can make a great game excellent. The levels were bite-sized, the Director ensured that every playthrough felt like a new experience. Also, Francis made hating Ayn Rand cool again.

3. Grand Theft Auto IV
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North
Platform: PC , PS3 , Xbox 360

While San Andreas was the bloated behemoth that took the GTA series to its extremes, Grand Theft Auto IV took the franchise back to basics, focusing on Rockstar’s masterful ability to create a world brimming with life and character. But it was Liberty City that stole the show, its streets and back alleys a buzzing metropolis that’s an absolute joy to get lost in.

4. LittleBigPlanet
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Media Molecule
Platform: PS3

Want a game? How about a beautiful platformer packed with ingenious levels, catchy tunes, and plenty of adorable outfits for your character? What about a game with all of that and the ability to make your own levels, upload them, and download other people’s work for free. That’s LittleBigPlanet. That’s groovy.

5. World of Goo
Publisher: 2D Boy
Developer: 2D Boy
Platform: PC , Wii

The best WiiWare game wasn’t made by Nintendo – it was made by two guys working in coffee shops. World of Goo makes great use of the Wii’s unique controls, resulting in an experience that avoids gimmicks. Fantastic art and sound and addictive physics-based gameplay earned Goo our Wii Game of the Year award in 2008.

6. Mirror’s Edge
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: DICE Sweden (Digital Illusions)
Platform: PC , PS3 , Xbox 360

While most first-person games on current-gen platforms have emphasized shooting, Mirror’s Edge was trying something new. This visually striking title was all about running. Players guided the brilliantly-designed heroine, Faith, over gleaming rooftops and through dark sewers in an effort to clear her sister’s name. Mirror’s Edge was one of the definite highlights of 2008.

7. Prince of Persia
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Platform: PC , PS3 , Xbox 360

Sands of Time might still be the fan favourite Prince of Persia outing but this next-gen reimaging took a brave stab at bringing the series into a new era. Gorgeous cell-shaded visuals and heart-racing acrobatic platforming offered exemplary action, only marred by a slightly repetitive structure. Ubisoft has ditched the fresh direction for its newest movie tie-in and it’s sad to think this delightful offering might be one of a kind.

8. Braid
Publisher: Number None Inc.
Developer: Number None Inc.
Platform: Xbox 360

Like Sands of Time, Braid is built on a time-manipulation mechanic. But instead of rewinding boo-boos, you create doppelgangers to help solve wicked puzzles. Combined with a classic, 2D side-scroller aesthetic, Braid broke out as one of the best XBLA games of 2008 and demands a sequel. Preferably in 2010, please.

9. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Kojima Productions
Platform: PS3

Old Snake took PS3 owners on a strange and obtuse journey through aged care, dementia and – no. Wait. It was all about war never changing, blurred lines of responsibility, cooking eggs in a pan on a plane鈥攍ook. Nobody knew what the heck was going on in MGS4, but it sure was pretty and the boss fights were pretty cool, I guess.

10. Dead Space
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Redwood Shores Studio
Platform: PC , PS3 , Xbox 360

In a time when survival-horror games are few and far between, it was Electronic Arts who rose to the challenge and delivered one of the most frightening games of this generation in Dead Space. Its blend of Aliens, Event Horizon, and other classic horror flicks meld with wonderfully refined gameplay to deliver a memorably haunting experience.

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Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Platform: Wii

Did Super Mario Galaxy top Nintendo’s revolutionary Super Mario 64? That’s open to debate – but what is certain is that Mario Galaxy is the Wii’s finest gaming experience. Drawing on more than twenty years of platforming expertise, Super Mario Galaxy masterfully blends an absurdist level design with compulsive and extremely polished gameplay. Stunning.

2. The Orange Box
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Valve
Platform: PC , PS3 , Xbox 360

Portal alone was almost worth the purchase price, and TF2 brought class-based shooters to a whole new level. Together they showed that games can be clever, arresting, thrilling and funny all at the same time. Add a brand new Half-Life 2 installment (with one of the most powerful endings in gaming), as well as the two older ones, and we have yet to see anything rival the Orange Box in terms of quality, ingenuity or value.

3. Mass Effect
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: BioWare
Platform: Xbox 360

BioWare took role-playing to the next level with Mass Effect. Years later, the cinematic storytelling and interactive conversation system is still so far ahead of the curve that it is equaled only by its sequel. Grab some popcorn, this is one of the best sci-fi experiences of the past decade in any medium.

4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platform: PC , PS3 , Xbox 360

There are few game creators that can make both an explosively cinematic single-player experience as well as a multiplayer component that usurps one of the biggest franchises in the history of gaming (Halo) in terms of popularity online. But that’s exactly what Infinity Ward was able to do with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

5. Rock Band
Publisher: MTV Games
Developer: Harmonix
Platform: PS2 , PS3 , Wii , Xbox 360

Rock Band wasn’t just a great extension of the rhythm action genre that introduced the full-band experience to living rooms around the world, it also marked a shift in the way we played these games, emphasising a cooperative experience over a competitive one.

6. BioShock
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: 2K Boston
Platform: PC , Xbox 360

It’s extraordinarily rare to see a developer make a first-person shooter and completely abandon any semblance of a multiplayer mode, but that’s exactly what made Irrational Games’ (then 2K Boston) creation so special. The emphasis on an oddly suspenseful and moody world gave BioShock a personality that the gaming world had never seen before and won’t soon forget.

7. Halo 3
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Bungie Software
Platform: Xbox 360

With Halo 3, Bungie pulled out all the stops, merging the series’ epic storyline, action-packed gameplay and multiplayer mastery into one polished package. It was everything we wanted in a Halo experience, and it helped define the Xbox 360 the way its ancestor came to represent the original Xbox.

8. God of War II
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCE Studios Santa Monica
Platform: PS2

If the original God of War was an amazing action game, its sequel redefined what action actually meant. Bigger, bloodier and more intense in every respect, God of War II is arguably still unmatched in terms of scale and scope, an amazing feat for a last-generation title. The God of War Collection proved that it’s still amazingly fun to this day, and it should be a part of every action fan’s library.

9. Uncharted
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Naughty Dog Software
Platform: PS3

During a time when the PlayStation 3 needed killer exclusives to survive, developer Naughty Dog came through for Sony’s system in a big way. Uncharted was a phenomenal addition to the PS3’s library and demonstrated Naughty Dog’s ability to weave an exciting story into thrilling gunplay. Uncharted still remains one of the system’s finest titles.

10. Pac-Man Championship Edition
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Namco Bandai
Platform: Xbox 360

There have been plenty retro remakes over the years, but this is the best one. Two and a half years after its release, we IGN editors are still trying to beat each other’s high scores. After playing Championship Edition there’s simply no going back to the original Pac-Man.

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Okami was released the year after high definition gaming was introduced on Xbox 360 and it still managed to steal the hearts of gamers with its beautiful artwork. Its original and whimsical approach to the adventure genre was refreshing not only for the way gamers would paint their attacks, but also the way actions brought the world back to life.

2. Wii Sports
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: Wii

Loathe Wii Sports for spawning a tidal wave of wretched mini-game copycats on Wii, but this early pack-in single-handedly started the mainstream casual game movement for one simple reason: it’s a hugely accessible, massively entertaining social-orientated experience. Practically doing away with awkward gaming interfaces entirely, it shows motion controls done absolutely right. It’s a stunning lesson in uncomplicated, approachable fun – and the fact that third-party developers still haven’t figured out what makes it works is testament to Wii Sports deceptively sophisticated design.

3. Company of Heroes
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Relic
Platform: PC

By 2006, it had to take something special to breathe new life into a WW2 game, a subset that was being worn to the very bone. Relic Entertainment’s Company of Heroes was that something special, and four years on it still stands as one of the finest RTS games of the past decade.

4. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Platform: PC , Xbox 360

With Oblivion, Bethesda made a major change to its long-running, open-world role-playing franchise: it made it accessible. Quest locations and NPCs were easily identifiable and traveling around the world was quick and painless, making what was previously a hardcore experience more digestible and convenient — without losing the immersive qualities and organic character progression that made the franchise popular to begin with.

5. Gears of War
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Epic Games
Platform: Xbox 360

The original Xbox had Halo and the Xbox 360 had Gears of War, without which our industry would almost assuredly have a different landscape. Epic Games’ action romp pitted players against a world full of foes with little but a chainsaw and a friend named Dominic at your side. What unfolded was enough to make the Xbox 360 a mainstay in our industry.

6. New Super Mario Bros
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Platform: DS

What better way to bring your number one mascot to the masses than by taking him back to his roots? That’s exactly what Nintendo did with Mario, stripping out a decade’s worth of increasingly convoluted series innovations to deliver the plumber’s purest 2D platform outing since 1985. Needless to say, it was an absolute retro delight – oh, and it sold like hotcakes too.

7. Guitar Hero II
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Harmonix
Platform: PS2

Bigger set list, more variety, new modes and enhanced visuals – yes, Guitar Hero II was the evolutionary sequel that not only helped fuel the meteoric rise of the music game genre, but also managed to get plastic guitars into the hands of your neighbor’s hot sister and your grandma that Christmas where you got drunk and fell asleep under the tree with your pants down.

8. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Platform: GameCube , Wii

It was a legendary wait for Nintendo to deliver on its promise of a realistically styled Link since the famous Space World 2000 demo, which was followed up by the subsequent style swap with Wind Waker — but it was worth it. Twilight Princess hit all the notes Zelda fans wanted, featuring a gigantic game world, loads of cleverly designed puzzles, tons of items to discover, and some interesting new twists on the classic gameplay formula.

9. Dead Rising
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Platform: Xbox 360

For years, horror fans had been demanding it – a game that dropped you into a zombie outbreak ripped from the movies and let you try and survive. Capcom delivered it with Dead Rising. As photojournalist Frank West, players were left to survive in mall overflowing with the undead. You could save people and investigate what was going on or just chill out until the rescue helicopter came back for you. Swords, guns, and more had your back, but the army of freaks and monsters would put up quite the fight.

10. LocoRoco
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCE Studios Japan
Platform: PSP

LocoRoco was created to make us smile, and it succeeded with flying colors. The perfect portable game, this platformer is one of the PSP’s best exclusives. When it was released it didn’t look like anything else out there and while other games have been influenced by its art direction LocoRoco remains a unique, charming adventure.

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All boss fights, all the time. Without peer to this day, this masterpiece cut out all the filler of most games to focus on 16 epic, beautiful boss battles. It’s like one giant boss rush mode with a touching story and inspired art work. Shadow of the Colossus was one of the most important games of the PS2 generation.

2. Resident Evil 4
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
Platform: GameCube , PC , PS2

As Matt Casamassina wrote in the original review, “Ladies and gentlemen, the best survival-horror game ever made.” Resident Evil 4 blends shockingly gruesome moments with scenes of slowly impending doom better than any game before or after it. If you’ve never experienced a wonderfully constructed horror game, Resident Evil 4 is the perfect place to start.

3. Guitar Hero
Publisher: RedOctane
Developer: Harmonix
Platform: PS2

You might say that the music genre has been played to death at this point, but when Guitar Hero first hit shelves, it was a massive breath of fresh air. For the first time, even the musically-impaired could rock out to the likes of Eric Clapton and Ozzy Osborne, and it helped kick off the concept of a true party game. Rock on.

4. God of War
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCE Studios Santa Monica
Platform: PS2

When you think of what an epic game can be, your thoughts likely won’t stray too far from the God of War franchise. It’s amazing how well Sony Santa Monica’s title holds up even to this day, with regards to both gameplay and graphics, but God of War is a true classic in every sense of the word. Athena!

5. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Level-5
Platform: PS2

A spiky-haired protagonist and a princess in need of rescue; Journey of the Cursed King could be a clich茅, but so wonderful is Level 5’s pastoral world that it all feels as fresh as the first time. Dragon Quest VIII may well be traditional, but this is a tradition that’s well worth celebrating.
6. Sid Meier’s Civilization IV
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Firaxis
Platform: PC

For strategy and management fans out there, few franchises can hold a candle to the depth and complexity of Civilization. Four titles on, Civ IV continues the legacy of complex, balanced and rewarding gameplay, further refining and improving the interface, refreshing the landscape through glorious production values and superb multiplayer.

7. Mario Kart DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: DS

It’s probably the best Mario Kart by virtue of being the distillation of every Mario Kart that had gone before it. Highlights from the series’ past make the cut, and since Mario Kart has had so many highlights, it meant a game that was bursting with content – and the fact that you could play it on the go was a happy bonus.
8. WarioWare: Twisted!
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo R&D1
Platform: GBA

Built into every Wario Ware Twisted cartridge was a motion-sensing chip that recognized when the system was being rotated and spun, like a knob on a radio. This opened up the creative vaults within Nintendo wide-open, and it’s amazing to see all the different challenges and experiences Nintendo’s R&D department came up with to take advantage of this “twisting” motion. It was something not seen before on the Game Boy Advance, but the experiment worked: this game is our choice for Best GBA game ever. It was also a taste of things to come, with Nintendo’s ultimate direction for console gaming…

9. Jade Empire
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: BioWare
Platform: Xbox

Today, JRPGs still struggle with reinventing an action based battle system while many western role playing games are slowly turning into shooters. Jade Empire’s confrontations had the pacing of well choreographed fight scene with the gameplay of a fighting game. Combat was fierce and character management was streamlined. It still makes many of today’s role playing experiences look bloated, clunky, and unapproachable.
10. Call of Duty 2
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platform: PC

Call of Duty 2 was a much needed grenade up the backside of World War II games, which at the time were becoming stale and tired. Spectacular set-pieces and unrelenting fire-fights provided the backbone of an unflinching single-player campaign which, combined with its solid multiplayer experience, became the foundations on which Modern Warfare was built.

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It was a long time in coming, but Half-Life 2 delivered everything it promised and more. Between the level design, multi-layered characters, stunning visuals (remember going up the citadel spire for the very first time?) and the impact of the physics-based gameplay, HL2 displayed just how involving a first-person-shooter could be.

 

 

2. World of Warcraft
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Platform: PC

Like it or not, World of Warcraft brought the MMO genre to the masses with its easy-to-play-but-tough-to-master game mechanics, astounding art direction (even by today’s standards) and unparalleled support. Ever since its release, other games have claimed to be the “WoW killer”, and yet still it stands, strong as it was in 2004.

 

 

3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami JPN (KCEJ)
Platform: PS2

A franchise prequel, Snake Eater sets most of the events of the Metal Gear series into motion and redefines its stealth action gameplay. The player’s environmental surroundings were vital in this Cold War tale set on the brink of nuclear war.

 

 

4. Ninja Gaiden
Publisher: Tecmo
Developer: Team Ninja
Platform: Xbox

It’s one thing to bring back a classic. It’s another to re-invent the game entirely and set a new standard for an entire genre. Ninja Gaiden could be soul crushing in its difficulty, but this was due to lightning fast gameplay and incredible AI. Tomonobu Itagaki made a game that was better than you, and he wanted you to know it.

 

 
5. Halo 2
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Bungie Software
Platform: Xbox

Xbox Live ushered in a new era of online console gaming, and Halo 2 helped Microsoft lead the charge. In addition to its high-octane single-player campaign, Halo 2 allowed gamers to compete online for glory. It was an instant success, and Bungie rode the wave to online multiplayer stardom.

 

 

 

6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North
Platform: PS2

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas gave you everything the other GTA titles did, but then it added in about 400-percent more. Now you could eat fast food to become fat, workout to get jacked, ride bikes, fly planes, date, skydive, and get lost in the story of Carl Johnson’s return to Los Santos and all of the headaches that came with it. The story, violence, and open world of GTA was back, and it was amazing.

 

 
7. Rome: Total War
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Creative Assembly
Platform: PC

Creative Assembly has proven in the past that it could fuse turn-based strategy gameplay with large-scale, real-time battlefield management, but never before was the chaos of battle brought to life as it was in Rome. Buoyed by a number of gameplay refinements and a massive graphical upgrade over previous series entries, Rome proved to be one of the prettiest, deepest, and most satisfying gaming experiences ever made.

 

 
8. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios, Inc.
Platform: GameCube

While developer Retro Studios may have fallen short of expectations set by the first Metroid Prime, the team’s sophomore effort, Prime 2: Echoes, remains an impressive, landmark release in the GameCube library. Retro’s talents in marrying classic gameplay appeal to modern presentation and immersive environments evolved with Metroid Prime 2 to stunning, if not revolutionary, effect.

 

 
9. Burnout 3: Takedown
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Criterion Games
Platform: PS2 , Xbox

Criterion took everything we never knew we wanted from a driving game and stuffed it all into Burnout 3: Takedown. In Crash mode, we used cars as virtual weapons, destroying our surroundings. In Road Rage, we took out our latent driving aggression, pushing cars off the road with manic glee. Fantasy fulfillment at its finest.

 

 

 

10. ESPN NFL 2K5
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Visual Concepts
Platform: PS2 , Xbox

As a slap in the face of EA’s Madden series, ESPN NFL 2K5 managed to grab and hold onto a firm legion of NFL fans. The game, which – you know – involves two teams on a field running headlong into each other while carrying a synthetic ball, remains as playable and enjoyable as ever – even if the presentation has taken a hit over the years.

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There’s a reason legions of fans put another Knights of the Old Republic game at the top of their dream wishlists. The original from BioWare is magnificent in every sense of the word. An epic storyline, fantastic characters, and two drastically different ways to play (Light or Dark) made this one RPG for the ages.

 

 

2. Call of Duty
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platform: PC

Launching one of the greatest and most successful of all World War 2 shooter franchises, the original Call of Duty combined a high level of authenticity, great visual presentation, and powerful scripted elements to put players in the midst of the War. Best of all, you got to feel like you were part of a battle and not just some lone super soldier.

 

3. Price of Persia: The Sands of Time
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Platform: GameCube , PC , PS2 , Xbox

Prince of Persia went from deviously clever platformer to rollicking 3D adventure with a then-fresh time reversal mechanic that let you undo mistakes. Sands of Time lead to a rebirth for the series, which is about to be revisited in this years Forgotten Sands. Hopefully, lightning will indeed strike twice.

 

 

4. Viewtiful Joe
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
Platform: GameCube

Capcom’s Viewtiful Joe took a side-scrolling action platformer and injected so much personality and originality into the mix that it immediately captured a legion of fans. The blend of cell-shaded comic book aesthetic and time-warping beat-em-up remains challenging, hugely entertaining – and most importantly, incredible fun.

 

5. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo R&D1
Platform: GBA

Wario’s always been the bad boy of the Nintendo bunch, but this extremely creative Game Boy Advance game gave him a new role at the company: a helmer of experimental videogame experiences. Wario Ware isn’t much more than a string of quick-fire challenges that require nothing more than a single D-pad or button push, but playing them, one after the other while the pace increases, offered up something we hadn’t ever seen before.

6. Rainbow Six 3
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Platform: PC , Xbox

Like him or not, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six franchise spawned some of the best tactical first-person shooting available. Rainbow Shield was no exception; the blend of then-topical oil control and terrorism was blended with (on the original Xbox) Xbox LIVE multiplayer and outstanding Unreal Engine 2.0 visuals.

 

 

7. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: GameCube

Many Zelda fans freaked when Miyamoto introduced the new toon-shaded Link for GameCube (especially after that 2000 “realistic” Link peek), but such petty grievances were blasted aside by yet another epic, engaging adventure that kept the Zelda batting average better than any game franchise in history.

 

 

 

8. Jak II
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Naughty Dog Software
Platform: PS2

How do you break the mold of the platformer genre? In Jak II, you take the game’s tone much darker, subjecting the main character to torture and unleashing him on a quest for revenge. Adding new vehicles, weapons and abilities, Jak II was a vast improvement over the original.

 

 

 

9. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami TYO
Platform: GBA

Before Aria of Sorrow, Castlevania was primarily a platformer with gothic tendencies. With this handheld reworking though, Konami switched up the formula adding exploration and RPG elements best known from Nintendo’s Metroid series. It’s spawned numerous sequels in the same vein but this vast, beautiful whip-cracking adventure is still an absolute highlight.

 
10. Panzer Dragoon Orta
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Smilebit
Platform: Xbox

Let’s be honest. We all loved this Xbox title because – in lieu of a Neverending Story game – this was the closest we’d get to flying about on the back of a Luck Dragon. Oh sure, the art direction was fantastic and the gameplay was fast and frenetic, but still… Luck Dragon. More

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